Captain Joe Denly has spoken of his disappointment as Kent were thrashed by Somerset at Canterbury on Thursday.

Kent lost their last eight wickets inside 46 minutes as Specsavers County Championship leaders Somerset dodged the showers to clinch a dramatic 10-wicket win on a rain-affected final day in Canterbury.

Joe Denly, Kent’s disappointed acting captain, said: “I’m obviously disappointed and the lads in general are slightly embarrassed by that performance. We’ve just had an honest chat up there in the dressing room and reached the conclusion that today’s display was certainly not acceptable.”

“It’s now what Kent are about. Last year we were in a really good place, but this season has been a bit of a struggle so we need to be honest with ourselves.”

“There’s still a heck of a lot of cricket to be played and if we think we can survive in Division One with performances like that, then we’re probably kidding ourselves.”

“We’ve shared some hard words, but to be realistic and honest with each other is the best way to go and I hope the boys respond in a positive way next week at Tunbridge Wells which is already looking to be a massive game.”

Meanwhile, Somerset skipper Tom Abell praised his new-ball bowlers for hunting in a pack throughout the game. He said: “We still felt there was plenty f time left in the game despite losing so much to rain and once again our bowling attack proved just how good they are.

“Lewis will take the plaudits for five today and 11 in the match, and rightly so, he was magnificent, but as a unit they work so well together and compliment each other. I’m so lucky as a captain to have those four guys running in for me.

“It was difficult to bat out there for sure and games do take patterns and sometimes batters can simply get caught up in the pace of the game. It was tricky but we’d have liked a slightly bigger lead than 30, but it wasn’t to be. Within that total Tom Banton was phenomenal once again, to get 60 under those circumstances was outstanding for such a young player.

“Going into today, we felt it was game on even though all results were still possible. The boys really took onus this morning and bowled fantastically well. To dismiss them for 59 was testament to that group.”